AHS Class of ’76 graduate Congressman Lou Correa honored and celebrated Vietnam War-period veterans, as well as several Anaheim High Gold Star Families, at a pinning ceremony presented March 29 on the Colonist Campus The commemorative event included presentations of a Service Lapel Pins and other tributes to publicly thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families on behalf of the nation. The event was supported by the AHSAA, ASB, Band, and other volunteers.

The Frick sisters lost their brother 52 years ago, but still love and cherish the memories of their fresh-faced sibling who went off to the Vietnam War on March 10, 1967. Their 20-year-old brother lost his life less than two months later in the Dinh Tuong Province of South Vietnam.

The sisters of Private First Class John Alan Frick, Mary Schilling, Laura Puialoa and Kathy Ward returned on Friday, March 29, 2019, to Anaheim High, where their brother graduated in 1965, to received a Gold Star Lapel Pin as part of a U.S. Department of Defense Vietnam Commemorative program conducted by Congressman Lou Correa, an AHS Class of 1976 graduate who represents California’s 46th District of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Orange and Santa Ana. The event was supported by the school’s Alumni Association, the campus NJOTC program, the ASB Associated Student Body, Band, and other campus volunteers.

Other AHS K.I.A. families were also honored. More photos from the event may be seen here.

Additional information and photos of  John Frick are available below:

John Alan FrickPrivate First Class John Alan Frick – AHS Class of 1965

A CO, 3RD BN, 47TH INFANTRY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Anaheim, California
December 14, 1946 to May 02, 1967

Private First Class

PERSONAL DATA

Home of Record:  Anaheim, CA

Date of birth:   12/14/1946

MILITARY DATA

Service:         Army of the United States

Grade at loss:   E3

Rank:            Private First Class

ID No:           56686138

MOS:             11B10: Infantryman

Length Service:  00

Unit:            A CO, 3RD BN, 47TH INFANTRY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV

CASUALTY DATA

Start Tour:      03/10/1967

Incident Date:   05/02/1967

Casualty Date:   05/02/1967

Age at Loss:     20

Location:        Dinh Tuong Province, South Vietnam

Remains:         Body recovered

Casualty Type:   Hostile, died outright

Casualty Reason: Ground casualty

Casualty Detail: Gun or small arms fire

Michael McCommons’ name is inscribed on Line 36, of Wall Panel 13 East, on a black granite wall with the names of more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives or remain missing in Vietnam.

Michael’s son, Glen Mulock, was 16 years old when the Vietnam War Memorial, dubbed “The Wall That Heals,” was dedicated in Washington D.C. on Nov. 13, 1982.

Born Oct. 6, 1966, Glen was put up for adoption after Michael was killed in Vietnam on Dec. 11, 1966. He grew up knowing his father was a soldier who gave his life for his country. Inspired by his father’s service, Glen joined the Marine Corps at age 17. Before going off to boot camp, he met the McCommons family, some of whom were unaware of his existence.

Michael and Glen’s mother, a university student, met at Leeds Shoe Store in the Anaheim Plaza, then an in-door mall that was a first for the city. The couple’s lives were drastically altered when Michael was drafted and left for his tour of duty on Oct. 22, 1965, as a member of the U.S. Army C Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. His Company was ambushed on a route north of Lai Khe, where Michael and 16 others in his company were killed during heavy combat.

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Aug. 17, 1943, Michael’s family migrated to Orange County and made their home at 207 Vine Street. Like other youth growing up in Anaheim in the 1950s and ‘60s, Michael watched movies at Fox Theater, played sports, went to the beach, dated and attended school at Anaheim High. After graduating in 1961, Michael and his brother, John, traveled the world.

After his time in the Marines, Glen moved to Southern California and grew even closer to his birth father’s family. “I looked a lot like Mike, and I was able to provide healing to my grandparents and my birth mother. I was proud I could help with any little bit of healing from their loss of Mike.”

Glen said his grandmother is his hero. “My Grandmother  (Francis) lost a brother in WWII and a son in Vietnam.  Today, at age 99, she is still a strong woman of faith. She volunteered with her church and the Gold Star Mothers for years and brought strength to others.”

Michael, who is buried in the Anaheim Cemetery, is remembered by his sister, Debbie Nance McCommons, an AHS Class of ’77 graduate: “He is missed every day by his family and friends who will never forget his smile, humor, love of life and joy in living. We learn from his example.”

 CULLEN, DENNIS JOHN-1945-1966

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1965

 EASTON, JOHN WILLIAM-1941-1968

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1959

 FIGUEROA, FRANK N.-1945-1970

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1964

 GRAHAM, GILBERT JAMES-1946-1967

U.S. NAVY – CLASS OF 1965

 GUERRERO, JOSES F. JR.-1949-1970

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1969

 KENNEDY, JACQUE-1942-1969

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1960

 LINN, DAVID WILLIAM-1942-1967

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1960

 LOPEZ, MAX ANDY – 1944-1967

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1963

 MCCOMMONS, MICHAEL RAY-1943-1966

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1961

 MOORE, ROBERT NED-1947-1968

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1966

 REYNOLDS, MICHAEL MONROE-1948-1968

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1968

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1966

SCHMIDT, STEVEN WARREN-1947-1968

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1965

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1963

WATTS, THOMAS-1948-1969

U.S. ARMY – CLASS OF 1966